Conrail Ballast Express

[scaletrains]

While we were attending the N Scale Weekend in Altoona, PA earlier this month, we received requests for the gray Conrail Ballast Express locomotives.

The Conrail Ballast Express paint scheme was applied to the C32-8 which looks similar to the C39-8.  The C32-8 is 2' 9" shorter with the main spotting differences being two (2) fewer engine compartment doors on the long hood and a 4,000 gallon fuel tank (C39-8 = 4,400).  Tooling a C32-8 would require an all-new long hood/short hood, walkway, handrails, drivetrain, fuel tank, and more. Since the C32-8 is even more unique than the C39-8, this is not in our plans for the foreseeable future.

So here’s the question... if you’re a Conrail modeler and we offered the Ballast Express Scheme on the C39-8, would you likely purchase one (or more)?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Shane


Shane Wilson
President
ScaleTrains.com, Inc.

[learmoia]

I'd be interested in a Blue unit numbered as a C32-8..

Maybe an Unnumbered Blue and an Unnumbered Gray for people who want C32-8s... Unnumbered would yield  part number per scheme to make the run worth while..

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Me? No.

Enough people to make money on it? I'm pretty sure.

[chicken45]

Me? No.

Enough people to make money on it? I'm pretty sure.

I bet you could run one with a caboose, Ed!

[unittrain]

Being a 70s era modeler I couldn't use one, I got a C39-8 in Conrail even though it's out of era for me as I like the boxy look of the -8s, I needed another unit to go with my two 8-40Bs. I really would like to see more locomotives from you guys as they look exceptional. I would like to see a GP30 or an SD45 something like that. I think you could sell quite a few of these as they are not so scarce and the number of road names is large.

[CONRAIL FAN]

Probably not, but I do plan picking up a couple of your C39-8s for my CR roster.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

@scaletrains I have two of the C39-8 and would buy another one if offered in CRQ. But I wouldn't buy a foob paint scheme on such a detailed model. Kato got away with this, offering a U30C as a U23C in Santa Fe, but that was many years ago and not nearly as detailed (or expensive) as these. At this price, I expect prototype fidelity. I think if conraiol modelers are crazy enough to want a Ballast Express C32-8, they are also the ones who would shun this type of foob.

That being said, I really wish you offered shells and parts. I would love to try to kit-bash my own.

Reese (@bnsfdash8) is working on a C32-8 shell in Shapeways.

[Smike]

Its an interesting paint scheme. I wouldn't see any issue with the current tooling as a close enough stand in (8' scale feet and one less door set on the side is no deal breaker for me). However its a niche within a niche, and I have one on order already, so I can't see a strong enough draw to get this as as second.  (Dozens of tier 4's on my layout is a goal of mine however)

[bman]

Speaking for myself as a Conrail modeler, it would be temping for sure. But I would not be interested in purchasing a stand in for a 32-8.
If you are taking suggestions, mine is for CR B30-7R's. Of course if you then painted them for the Monongahela Super 7's(CR upgraded these I don't know if there were any external variations from the as delivered units to the MGA) and Ohio Central patch jobs and re-paints, I'd have to take a second job for sure.

[w neal]

Shane,

This is probably the worst forum on which to ask that question.

[u18b]

Thanks for asking the question.

I would be a no.   I'm not into foobies.   I'll kitbash a C32 one day myself- or someone will come up with a shell.

But I WOULD have reserved a C39-8 if you would have done a CSX patch job Conrail colors.

Like this:

http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/C39-8/7488cr.jpg

Thanks for asking on this forum.

[chicken45]

Shane,

This is probably the worst forum on which to ask that question.

I LOL'd pretty hard at that!

[unittraincoal]

I’m not in the market for a Ballast Express... but I hope you guys continue doing big GEs in N scale. It has been over 20 years and no one has ever done a plastic Southern Pacific AC4400 .... I could use a dozen! Keep up the great products!!!!!

[Atlanticflier]

"So here’s the question... if you’re a Conrail modeler and we offered the Ballast Express Scheme on the C39-8, would you likely purchase one (or more)? "

YES, …. straight Conrail or even a CSX patch of the BE scheme !

http://conrailphotos.thecrhs.org/Images/CR-6612CSX7477-in-Q166-at-Huntington-MA-on-101699
             

[peteski]

"So here’s the question... if you’re a Conrail modeler and we offered the Ballast Express Scheme on the C39-8, would you likely purchase one (or more)? "

Just to clarify, who is "we"?  JCT?  Neither your user name nor signature shows who you speak for.